Do my spouse and children need to pay the SEVIS fee if they come to the USA as my F-2 dependents?
06 Nov 2026 · Answered by Arati Rai · 1 min read
Quick Answer
verified
No. F-2 dependents of an F-1 student do not pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. They still file their own DS-160, pay the applicable visa application fee, and receive an individual Form I-20 from the school. Verify the latest dependent instructions before booking appointments.
No, F-2 dependents do not pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. That fee is part of the primary F-1 student's process, so your spouse and children are not charged it separately.
What Dependents Still Need to Do
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| DS-160 | Each dependent completes a separate form that shows the relationship to you |
| Visa application fee | Each dependent pays the applicable visa fee |
| Form I-20 | The school's Designated School Official issues one for each eligible dependent |
| SEVIS fee | Not payable by F-2 dependents |
Before You Book Appointments
- Keep each dependent's application records organised and separate.
- Confirm the latest dependent-specific instructions on official US government and school pages.
- Ask your international student office how it handles dependent I-20 requests.
My Advice
Start the dependent paperwork early. Ask your school's international office about I-20 requests for your family at the same time as your own, so nothing delays your visa appointments.
Can your spouse come with you to the USA?
Which US courses still allow dependents, and what you will need to show.
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